"When I was eight years old to be a spaceman was the most exciting thing I could imagine."

- Dr. Roberta Bondar

Bedford Academy was indeed honoured by the presence of Dr. Roberta Bondar who toured the school then graciously opened the Academy Science Fair. During her inspiring address to the assembled students, parents and invited guests, Dr. Bondar referred to the many challenges she faced prior to her historic flight aboard the NASA space shuttle, Discovery.

The world's first neurologist in space, Dr. Bondar is globally recognized for her contributions to space medicine. She continued her discoveries for more than a decade, finding new connections between recovering from new environments and neurological illnesses such as stroke and Parkinson's disease. Doctor Bondar now applies her insights to help leaders (and the rest of us) adapt to the unchartered territory of work and life. From her own experiences aboard the space shuttle Discovery, Dr. Bondar shows how lessons learned from space can be applied to today's constantly changing world.

In 2003, Time Magazine named Roberta Bondar one of North America's Best Explorers. Holder of the NASA Space Medal and inducted into the International Women's Forum Hall of Fame, and to the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame for her groundbreaking research in space medicine, she has also received 24 honorary doctorates from Canadian and American universities.

The students of Bedford Academy were touched by Dr. Bondar's sincere interest in their Science Project Displays. Her acknowledgement of their efforts will motivate the children to pursue their dreams and pursuits of intellectual growth with the same passion she continues to display throughout her illustrious career.

Previous | Auto/Stop Slideshow | Next

« RETURN TO Bedford Academy IN THE NEWS INDEX